Maureen Sullivan comments this week on the habits formed through lockdown and how we can break them to get back to doing the things we love – including watching live theatre!
Over the last month or so I have felt my life slowly returning to normal – I have been able to visit friends, go out for meals, see live theatre, rehearse and watch a show I have directed being enjoyed by a hall full of people.
Yet a few months ago, not only was I unable to do any of this – I actually didn’t want to. I found myself satisfied with staying home, doing the garden, reading; scared, in fact, to go back out into the world. Psychologists say that habits are formed within three months, and considering we have had over a year of lockdowns and closed theatres, it is not surprising many people are still just staying in.
I was lucky – having undertaken to direct a show, I was almost forced to go along to the first rehearsal. And when I did, memories of why amateur theatre is my favourite hobby resurfaced. I experienced again the enjoyment of being with like-minded people; the laughter, the shared sense of purpose culminating in bringing the best show we could to an appreciative audience.
Most Island shows – amateur and professional – are finding a dip in audience numbers, and in those volunteering to help backstage and front of house, so I think many people share my learned habit of staying in, and concerns about ‘getting out there’ again.
At every show I have attended, whether as audience member or participant in some way, the theatre has put in place measures to help everyone feel safe and enable them to enjoy the performance: most people are wearing masks around the building and some choose to wear them throughout the show; there is sanitiser available and screens at the box office, and so on.
If you are, as I was, hovering on the edge of wanting to come into a theatre but reluctant, and unlike me no one has ‘forced’ you, I would encourage you to step into your favourite theatre in the coming weeks – once you’re there, you’ll enjoy it. If you are a member of a theatre group, or would like to join, I know all groups on the Island are welcoming members, new and existing, and would love you to participate in whatever way you feel able.
Personally, I enjoy being at the box office or serving coffees almost as much as being on stage (some enjoy it more, I know!) – it’s a social occasion, the chance to chat to other theatre-lovers, to experience the thrill of live performances and to watch the theatre you love come back to life – just what we’ve been waiting for over the last year and a half.
The Island Savoyards are currently running their sold-out Summer School and will be staging We Will Rock You on Monday 30th August. Find out more about it here.
the Apollo Theatre is currently looking for helpers (and audiences!) for Ladies in Lavender, their next show which opens on 15th September (tickets from https://www.apollo-theatre.org.uk/ladies-in-lavender/ – and pop into a coffee morning any Saturday from 10am-12).
Trinity Theatre are casting 3 One-Act Plays to be staged in March (again, pop into a coffee morning any Saturday 10:00-12:00 or contact ) Cheryl May ([email protected]); Steve Taverner ([email protected]) or David Ballard ([email protected], and other shows will be coming up in October and November, so now’s the time to dip a toe back into the water – you’ll be glad you did!
Maureen Sullivan is a regular contributor to Island Echo’s coverage of the Arts on the Isle of Wight. Maureen has been actively involved in the Island’s amateur dramatics scene for several years, appearing in many different roles and guises with several theatre companies. In her free time, Maureen also writes and reviews at iwtheatre.org.
Catch Maureen’s column each month for the latest theatre and art happenings...
